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Ravensheugh and Tosson Hill Walk

We started this walk from the car park in Simonside Forest, used for the waymarked trails.

The route we followed took us along the forest trails to the bottom of Simonside Crags. From there we walked to Ravensheugh and across open fells to Tosson Hill.

We returned back to Simonside but turned left down into the forest before reaching the crags. From there we followed paths and tracks back to the car park.

Distance - Just under 7 miles.

Parking - Simonside Forest Car Park and Picnic Area near Great Tosson.

Toilets - None - nearest in Rothbury.

*Note! This is not one of the waymarked routes marked in the car park.

View to Tosson Hill.

View from Tosson Hill.

Walk

1) From the car park we followed the trail that leads past the entrance and information board, through a single pole gate / barrier.

From here we walked uphill until reaching a junction just before the transmitter mast which is on the right of the track.

Leaving Simonside Forest car park.

Walking up the track from the car park.

2) At the junction we turned left and followed the track which is our normal route when we walk up Simonside Crags.

Turning left at the transmitter mast.

Starting to leave the forest.

3) The track goes downhill for a while before bearing right and climbing uphill again alongside a burn which runs in a small ravine down to the forest.

View towards the Simonside Ridge.

View back towards Rothbury.

4) After a while we reached another junction where we turned right towards Simonside Crags. (The left turn leads to Dove Crag.) It always seems to feel distinctly cooler here as you emerge from the forest.

Turning right at the junction.

Track towards Simonside Crags.

5) We followed the track until we reached the seats which have one of the finest views in Northumberland. We always stop here for a while to admire the views.

Approaching the seats and viewpoint.

Information board at the viewpoint.

6) From the seats we walked towards the bottom of Simonside Crags where we followed the path that runs up the edge of the forest towards Ravensheugh.

View towards Ravensheugh.

View across Coquetdale.

7) As we followed this path it became narrower where it briefly entered the forest. Some gaps in the trees provided excellent views across the Coquet Valley to Thropton and the Cheviot Hills.

Narrow path to Ravensheugh.

View from the path.

8) The path emerges from the forest at a stile near Ravensheugh Crags which are below to the right.

View from the top of the path at Ravensheugh.

View of the path to Tosson Hill.

View to Caistron Lake.

View to Tosson Hill.

View to Tosson Hill.

View down to Coquetdale.

9) We crossed the stile and walked along the path, crossing open moorland towards Tosson Hill. The large cairn surrounding the Trig Point was easily visible ahead.

Leaving Ravensheugh for Tosson Hill.

Between Ravensheugh and Tosson Hill.

10) On reaching the cairn at Tosson Hill we stopped for a while to admire the superb views across Coquetdale to the Cheviot Hills.

Approaching the cairn on Tosson Hill.

Trig point on Tosson Hill.

View towards Redesdale.

View to Caistron Lake.

View towards Hepple.

View towards Thropton.

11) From here we returned back along the path to Ravensheugh which also has great views ahead to Simonside and down into the valley below.

View looking back to Ravensheugh.

Path back to Ravensheugh.

Approaching the forest again.

Style at the forest edge.

12) Crossing the stile again we walked back down the path towards Simonside looking out for a path to the left down to the forest.

Walking back down the narrow path.

View to Simonside Crags.

13) Before we reached the crags a marker pole indicated the path on our left into a gully through the heather.

Turning down to the forest.

Looking back up to the crags.

14) We followed this path, which would probably be wet and slippery after rain, until we reached the forest.

Along the slippery narrow path.

Approaching the forest.

15) Down through the forest we passed an overhanging crag on our right before the path levelled out a bit and became a bit clearer.

Entering the forest.

Passing the crag in the forest.

16) After a short while the path reached a forest trail, where we turned right, ignoring another path on the other side.

Approaching the end of the path.

Turning onto the track.

17) We followed this track uphill again, continuing straight on past a junction on our left.

Following the track uphill.

Straight on at this junction.

18) Eventually we reached the transmitter mast and the junction we passed on the way up.

Back at the transmitter mast.

Turning left at this junction.

19) We turned left here and followed the track back down to the car park.

Sign at the junction we passed going up.

View from the track to the car park.

Notes

Walking Gear:

- Good walking boots essential.

- Waterproof clothing advisable depending on the weather
forecast.

Food and drink advisable.

Maps - Ordnance Survey Landranger sheet no. 81 - Alnwick and Morpeth.

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